Woolgar
collapsible steering column for a motor vehicle



t f gt DEFENSIVE PUBLICATION UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Published atthe request of the applicant or owner in accordance with the Notice ofApr. 11, 1968, 849 0.6:. 1221. Identification is by serial number of theapplication and the heading indicates the number of pages ofspecification, including claims, and oi. sheets of drawing contained inthe application as originally filed. The file of this application isavailable to the public for inspection; reproduction may be purchasedfor 30 cents per sheet.

Applications published under the Defensive Publication Program have notbeen examined as to the merits of alleged invention. The Patent Ofllcemakes no assertion as to the novelty of the disclosed subject matter.

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 16, 1969 743,678 COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN FOR AMOTOR VEHICLE Ronald J. H. Woolgar, Danbury, England, assignor to FordMotor Company, Dearborn, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 10,1968. Published Sept. 16, 1969 Int. Cl. B62d 1/18 US. Cl. 74492 1 SheetDrawing. 6 Pages Specification A collapsible steering column assemblyincludes two telescopically slidable tubes 3 and 5 joined together byreadily shearable rivets 7 and connected to a support bracket 9. In acrash, the bracket 9 is designed to yield and the tubes to telescope. Intube 3, a bearing 21 supports the upper part 27 of a three-part steeringshaft 25. The part 27 is connected to a steering wheel 31 at one end andto an intermediate shaft part 35. Shaft part 35 is a hollow tube with acircular cross section and extends into a hollow lower shaft part 37having a square cross section. Shaft parts 35 and 37 are connected byreadily shearable rivets 39. A solid piece 51 is welded to the lower endof shaft part 35. Piece 51 has an end portion 55 having a square crosssection of the same size as that of the part 37, an intermediate taperedportion 57 and an upper end portion 59 with a circular cross section. Asevere impact upon the steering wheel forces the shaft part 35 to moveaxially whereby rivets 39 are sheared and tapered portion 57 enters part37. In entering part 37, portions 57 and 59 deform the part 37 since thediameter of portion 59 is greater than the width of part 37. Indeforming the part 37 energy is absorbed.

743, MT p 1969 R. J. H.WOOLGAR DEF PUB COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN FOR AMOTOR VEHICLE Filed July 10, 1968 W MMHI INVENTOR BOA I10 A. W001 6/416By M 2 aw/ M q /Mw ATTORNE VS

